PRESS RELEASE
July 22, 2008
Lexington, Ky. —Charles Scott Sparks, 44, was sentenced today to 50 months in prison for conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine and possession of firearms by a convicted felon. Co-defendants Christopher Adams, Ralph Carpenter, and Billy Carpenter were sentenced for their roles in the conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine on Friday, July 18th. Adams, 23, was sentenced to 20 months in prison, Ralph Carpenter, 28, was sentenced to 35 months in prison, and Billy Carpenter, 37, was sentenced to 42 months in prison.
Between February and March of this year, Adams, the Carpenters, and Sparks pleaded guilty to the charges and admitted that from January 13 of 2007 until October 22, 2007 they were involved together in obtaining the ingredients to manufacture methamphetamine and in manufacturing methamphetamine. Sparks further admitted he possessed a total of ten firearms on two separate occasions after having been convicted of the felony offense of drug trafficking. Records from pharmacies in Richmond and Lexington revealed that they purchased pills containing pseudoephedrine on approximately 40 separate occasions between April of 2006 and November of 2007 for the purpose of manufacturing methamphetamine. One of the incidents charged in the conspiracy, involved a fire at Billy Carpenter’s residence in February of 2007 that resulted in the discovery of numerous items commonly utilized to manufacture methamphetamine.
“These sentences illustrate the successful partnership between local, state, and federal law enforcement who investigate cases involving drug trafficking and the illegal possession of firearms and the seriousness of manufacturing methamphetamine” said Assistant United States Attorney Hydee Hawkins.
Under federal law, Adams, Sparks, and the Carpenters must serve 85 percent of their prison sentences, and, upon release, will be under the supervision of the United States Probation Office for four years.
James A. Zerhusen, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, Paul Vido Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and Madison County Sheriff Nelson O’Donnel, jointly made the announcement today after Sparks was sentenced.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Madison County Sheriff’s Department. The forensic analysis was conducted by the Kentucky State Police. The United States was represented in the case by Assistant United States Attorney Hydee R. Hawkins.